Health Monitor Network, a healthcare marketing platform, has created and funded a three-year study that will examine how diverse populations respond to different education resources.
Specifically, it will investigate how patients respond to various tactics like print, digital and video, with the goal of identifying the most effective methods to communicate relevant health information for diverse communities. The study will be led by Duke University School of Medicine’s Julius Wilder, M.D., Ph.D., a member of the Duke Clinical Research Institute.
The health equity patient education study is said to be the first of its kind. Most health outcomes are determined by social determinants of health, including low health literacy. Yet important health information often fails to reach or resonate with underserved communities, a press release said.
“Low health literacy and inadequate patient education have a negative impact on the health of communities, especially communities of color and those considered socially vulnerable,” Wilder said in the announcement. “Disparity in health literacy and patient education contributes to worse health outcomes, higher medical costs, longer hospital stays and greater risk of death."
Health Monitor develops content for providers to inform, educate and improve health outcomes in patients. Its solutions range from digital exam room screens to omnichannel provider engagement to on-demand videos.
"As a company that creates original patient education content, we are in a unique position to help make a difference when it comes to health disparities,” said Maria Lissandrello, senior vice president and chief content officer of Health Monitor Network, in the press release. "If we can deliver messages in a format that encourages people to get that checkup, to ask their doctor that question or to fill that prescription, we can help move the needle.”
Funding the study builds on Health Monitor’s commitment to bridging gaps in health literacy through quality patient education. Its content studio creates educational content about disease states and therapies that help improve patient-physician conversations. Its proprietary physician office network has more than 200,000 offices with more than 400,000 healthcare workers engaging in its products.